BFI London Film Festival Awards Ceremony (2011)

Celebrating the most original, intelligent and distinctive filmmaking in the Festival, the Best Filmaward, presented in partnership with American Express, was chaired by John Madden who presented the award with fellow judge Gillian Anderson.

On behalf of the jury John Madden (Chair) said: “This year’s shortlist for Best Film comprises work that is outstanding in terms of its originality and its stylistic reach. It is an international group, one united by a common sense of unflinching human enquiry and we were struck by the sheer panache displayed by these great storytellers. In the end, we were simply bowled over by one film, a sublime, uncompromising tale of the torment that can stand in the place of love. We Need to Talk About Kevin is made with the kind of singular vision that links great directors across all the traditions of cinema.”

Actress Gillian Anderson, a judge for the best film category, said the panel’s decision had been tough and that “we did have to battle it out over the table”.